Person:Hiram Dana (1)

His wedding date is when he is 34 years old, but the marriage record states Hiram was age 30. A birth record was found that shows his birth year as 1830. His parents were Oren and Adeline (Goodwell) Dana. In 1870, Hiram and Alice were living next door to Hiram's parents, with another Dana sibling next to them.

Hiram and Alice's daughter Nora Bell married Henry Elmer Parshall b: 8 March 1862 in Hartland, Livingston, Michigan. The marriage was 27 November 1883 in Williamston, Michigan.

From "Past and Present of the City of Lansing and Ingham County, Michigan", by Albert E. Cowles. Published by The Michigan Historical Publishing Association Lansing, MICH., 1905. Pages 496 - 497

The parents of J. J. Dana were both born at Batavia, N. Y. The father, Orren in 1807, and the mother, Adaline Goodwill, in 1814. They were married in the year 1829, and emigrated to Michigan in the year 1837 and settled on sections 8 and 9 in Leroy township. The land was all in a state of nature. One hundred and sixty acres was taken up from the government. For the first few years the family not only had to endure the privations common to the lot of pioneers in a new country, but at times suffered from want and hunger. This was not on account of any lack of industry or energy but rather from unforseen and unavoidable causes. In the fall of 1838, six acres, the entire crop of corn was destroyed by forest fires. The year following, the entire crop of wheat and corn upon which the family depended for their winter supply, was trampled down and destroyed by wild deer and black bears. A log enclosure was a necessity to keep the cows from being killed by roving bands of wolves. For the first six months after locating here, Detroit was the nearest postoffice. Then one was established at Mason. In the year 1840, what is now the township of Leroy, was set off by itself and named by Orren Dana after a township in his native state. For over twenty years there was no place of business within the limits of the township. For thirty-two years Orren Dana was Justice of the Peace for Leroy. He died in 1879. Of a family of eight children, but one is now living, E. L. Dana, of Leroy.

From Portrait and Biographical Album of Ingham and Livingston Counties, Michigan

HIRAM J. DANA. There is probably no one in Leroy Township, Ingham County, who is better known and more highly respected among the old pioneers than he whose name we now give. He was born October 22, 1830, in Genesee County, N.Y., and in 1837 he came with his parents, Oren and Adeline (Goodwell) Dana, from New York to Michigan, making the last stage of their journey with ox-team to Detroit, thus becoming one of the first settlers in Leroy Township. Their first home was in a log shanty about 18x20 feet, and it was of rough construction with split plank for a floor. After residing there for about two years they erected a more comfortable log cabin.

The father of our subject was the first Supervisor for the district which now comprises four townships. To his home came seven children, only four of whom are now living, namely: Hiram J., James, Mary (wife of William Turner), and Edwin L. He was a man of public spirit and a leader in the Democratic ranks, and in his death the county lost a valued citizen and one of her original pioneers. He also for many years was Justice of the Peace, to which office he was elected by the vote of both parties.

Our subject grew up amidst the woods and has pleasant memories of Indian neighbors, who were friendly and glad to exchange kindnesses. His education was obtained in the early schools of that day, which, although narrow in their curriculum, were thorough in drill and gave him a good foundation for future study. Upon the 23d of October, 1853, he married Mary A. Betts, who bore him two children, both deceased, and their mother has also passed from earth. The second wife bore the maiden name of Alice Barnes, and to her were granted nine children, eight of whom are now living, namely: Nora (wife of Frank Horton), Charles F., Hiram H., Adaline, Alvin O[rin b. 26 Jan 1876 Leroy]., Frederick F., Alta M. and Cleveland. Mrs. Alice Dana was some years ago called from earth, and Mr. Dana married the present Mrs. Dana, who was in her maidenhood know as Ella Mann. One son, Earl, has blessed this union, and to all the children the father is giving excellent advantages for education.

Mr. Dana has lived upon his farm for fifty-three years, with the exception of one year spent in the mercantile business in Williamstown, and it is by his hand that this beautiful estate of four hundred and twenty acres has been developed from the condition of the wilderness to its present prosperous state. He is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Williamston, and in his political views is attached to the Democratic party. His success in life is a cause of rejoicing not only among the members of his family but also with all who have known his long life among them and his marked characteristics of probity and honor.

Richard Dana was the progenitor of all the Danas in America. He came here from England in 1640 and settled in the Cambridge, Massachusetts vicinity.

A lot on section 23, known as the Alchin Cemetery, has been in use for many years as a burial-place, the first interments having been those of Nathan Jones and the children of Daniel Freeman, whose deaths occured many years since.

In 1873 the township purchased of Edmund Alchin one acre of ground embracing the above spot for the sum of fifty dollars; it was neatly inclosed, and is now used as a township burial-place. It is under the supervision of a board of trustees embracing Edmund Alchin, William Askell, George Fear.

Alchin Cemetery is located on Van Orden Road in Webberville.

1. ↑ Ingham County Clerk's Office.